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Golden State Warriors Free Agency: Joe Harris is best available fit

By Nathan Beighle

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 02: Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Harris #12 reacts after a play against the Washington Wizards in the second half of a NBA basketball game at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 2, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 02: Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Harris #12 reacts after a play against the Washington Wizards in the second half of a NBA basketball game at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 2, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors will have limited options in free agency, and it’d be smart for the team to take a long look at Nets’ guard Joe Harris.

There’s zero chance the Golden State Warriors look at high-value free agents without making drastic changes.

While they could find a way to shed Andrew Wiggins‘ and/or Draymond Green‘s contract, it’s more than likely those two are Warriors at the start of the 2020-2021 season. That will leave Golden State, in all reality, with veteran’s minimum money and the mid-level exception.

Joe Harris, the Brooklyn Nets sharpshooter guard, could get more money elsewhere, but his best chance at playing a legitimate role on a contender is in Golden State. He’d be the quintessential three alongside the league’s best-shooting backcourt in league history.

Joe Harris, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry would be virtually impossible to guard. Harris shot over 42% from three this past season and was making a league-high 47.4% of his threes during the 2018-2019 season, one in which he hoisted 5.1 threes per game.

Last season was really the first that Harris became a household name when he won the 2019 All-Star Game’s three-point shooting contest. Since then, he’s been among the notable sharpshooters in the NBA.

While it sounds like we’re overexaggerating Harris’ ability, he’s been that good. He’s clearly not as good or dynamic of a shooter as Curry, but the two-time MVP has yet to shoot over 47% from downtown in a season. It was a special season for Harris.

The 6-foot-6 small forward could slide into the starting lineup, and either Harris or Thompson could play the three. That said, the only thing really stopping this from happening is the MLE is worth about $5.7 million.

Harris made $7.7 million this season. After averaging three straight seasons of double figures, I wouldn’t expect Harris to take anything under eight figures per year. That would sadly would Golden State out of contention.

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Harris is the best on-court fit available given his shooting, and although he’s not a max-value player, it’s still very unlikely the Warriors could compete with offers from other contenders.

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